Anthony Galloway

Chief Political Correspondent at Capital Brief

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Articles

Reset or glass cliff?

3 days ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway |Finn McHugh

The Liberal Party has elected its first female leader in Sussan Ley, a historic milestone that immediately raises an uncomfortable question: is she the party’s saviour, or just its next scapegoat? Ley’s narrow 29–25 victory over Angus Taylor underscores the fragility of her mandate. Many in the Right faction, which was backing Taylor, will see her elevation as a temporary setback.
Liberal Party elects Sussan Ley as new leader

4 days ago | capitalbrief.com | Jennifer Duke |Anthony Galloway |Adam Rollason

BriefingLeadership Battle10:23am on 13 May 2025The news: Sussan Ley is the new opposition leader after defeating Angus Taylor in a Liberal party room vote. Sources told Capital Brief the vote was won 29 to 25. The deputy position has been contested by Ted O'Brien and Phil Thompson. Our journalists are working to update this briefing and we will publish more shortly. By, and Let me know about offers and insider updates. Your email address will be stored in accordance with ourprivacy policy.
Fresh blood

4 days ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway

Anthony Albanese's unveiling of his new-look ministry on Monday not only signalled a push for renewal within Labor's ranks. The announcement, which followed days of headlines about the factional ousting of Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus, also indicates a shift in the prime minister's priorities for his second term. The key changes include Albanese’s ally Tim Ayres taking over as industry and science minister, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland becoming the attorney-general.
Albanese announces new cabinet

4 days ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway |Jennifer Duke

Albanese's rival Tanya Plibersek will be moved from the environment portfolio to social services, Murray Watt will take over as environment minister, Amanda Rishworth will replace Watt in industrial relations, and Anika Wells will become the communications minister. Anne Aly will be promoted to cabinet and appointed minister for small business, international development and multicultural affairs.
Knives out

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway

For the duration of the election campaign, both major parties went to great lengths to present themselves as focused on the needs of ordinary Australians. But with the campaign now over, voters have received a swift reminder of the ruthless factional arithmetic that governs both the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal/National Coalition. Get The Edition in your inboxSigned up to The EditionA must-read afternoon newsletter. Free to join, read by decision makers and featuring our top stories.
Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley formally declare their hand for Liberal leadership

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway

But Taylor boosted his numbers by the defection of Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the Liberal party room. In a statement, Taylor pointed to his record in the corporate of rebuilding businesses as vice that he is the best person to reform the Liberal Party. Ley earlier said that many Australians, particularly women and younger voters, “feel neglected by the Liberal Party” and it now needed to rebuild trust with voters.
Albo's early test

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway |Finn McHugh

A day after his election win, Anthony Albanese pledged a “disciplined, orderly government in our second term”, vowing Labor would not “take for granted” the opportunity afforded by voters. As he delivered those assurances, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was already working the phones to dump Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. By Thursday, it was clear he'd been successful.
Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus dumped as Labor factions reshape frontbench

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Finn McHugh |Anthony Galloway

As Labor reshuffles, Jacinta Price’s defection to the Liberals has shaken the party, bolstering conservatives and shifting the battle for the party’s top job. Ministers Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus will be dumped from the frontbench, as moderate Liberals brace for Nationals defector Jacinta Nampijinpa Price entering their party room. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appears unlikely to intervene to protect the two ministers, who lost their cabinet spots during Labor faction meetings on Thursday.
Three's a crowd

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway |Finn McHugh

And then there were three. The contest to lead the Liberal Party has narrowed to Angus Taylor, Sussan Ley and Dan Tehan after 42-year-old Andrew Hastie, long considered a future leader, withdrew from the race. The remaining contenders are offering sharply different pitches to colleagues as they seek to rebuild the party after last weekend’s historically bad election defeat.
Albanese’s Left faction poised to secure more ministers

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Anthony Galloway

While the Left could claim 16 ministers, sources on both sides expect the prime minister to opt for an even split of positions to avoid a factional brawl. Anthony Albanese’s powerful Left faction is in line for more ministerial positions — including former leader Bill Shorten’s cabinet spot — as the once-dominant Right faction struggles to hold on to its power base.